Opioid Treatment Program

What Is Opioid Addiction?

Opioids are pain-reducing drugs commonly known as narcotics. These stimulate the brain to produce feelings of relaxation and pleasure. Opioids include prescription-based and illegal street drugs, the examples of which are morphine and heroin, respectively.

The effects of opioids are very short-lived. Frequent use leads to drug tolerance which means that person has to use an increased dose to achieve the same desired effects, resulting in opioid addiction. 

Though often used interchangeably, opioid addiction is different from opioid use disorder. Opioid use disorder is excessive use of opioids to the extent that it leads to severe physical and physiological harm. In contrast, opioid addiction is the end stage of the opioid disorder, so it turns into an addiction if not treated timely. 

Look out for these signs of opioid use disorder:

Opioid addiction is a worldwide problem. CDC reports that in 2021 nearly 220 people died from opioid overdose every day in the U.S. Crisis of this magnitude calls for immediate action. This is why ASAM, CDC, and various healthcare departments are working to make opioid addiction treatment widely available. Common addictive opioids include:

1. Codeine
2. Heroin
3. Hydrocodone
4. Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
5. Methadone
6. Morphine
7. Oxycodone

Addiction is a chronic brain disease that can get worse without proper medical attention. Opioid addiction, like every other addiction, is treatable.

Outcomes Of MAT For Opioid Addiction Treatment 

The ultimate goal of MAT is lasting recovery with improved quality of life. It aims to:

1. Improve patient survival rate
2. Increased patient retention rates
3. Decreased use of illicit substances
4. Improves patient’s ability to cope and manage triggers
5. Improve birth outcomes in expecting mothers

Furthermore, MAT combined with psychotherapy aims to improve mental health, social skills, self-esteem, self-worth, and overall well-being.

Treatment Overview 

The clinician will discuss all the recommended treatment options with you, best suited to your needs. Every diagnosis is different but generally, your treatment plan will include:

• Medication-assisted treatment
• Addiction counseling to educate you about treatment resources
• Behavioral therapy helps you process your emotions and address the root cause of addiction.
• Aftercare plans to minimize the chances of a relapse.

Which Medication Are Approved For Opioid Addiction Treatment 

The FDA has approved the following medications for opioid addiction treatment:

Drugs	Use
Suboxone	A buprenorphine/naloxone combination that reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Subutex	An opioid antagonist is used to reverse the effects of harmful opioids.
Methadone	It has methadone as an active ingredient which has high abuse potential so suboxone is a preferred medication.
Buprenorphine	Used to reverse ease opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Naloxone	Used in case of opioid overdose.
Naltrexone	Used for the treatment of alcoholism and opioid addiction. It reduces recurrent cravings.

Why Quitting Opioids Cold-Turkey Might Not Work For You?

Relapse is common during addiction treatment, with rates as high as 40-60%. Medication-assisted treatment improves the chances of sustainable sobriety by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Common withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid abstinence include:

1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Diarrhea
4. Anxiety 
5. Insomnia
6. Risk of overdose

Perhaps the most dangerous consequence of quitting opioids cold turkey is the risk of opioid overdose. Overdose can be life-threatening which may even result in death. The symptoms include:

1. Respiratory Depression
2. Extreme dizziness 
3. Shallow breathing
4. Unconsciousness
5. Choking

All of these dangerous symptoms can be avoided by medications for medication-assisted treatment. MAT medications are opioid antagonists that bind to the opioid receptors in the brain, stabilizing the patient’s condition and easing withdrawal symptoms.

How Can ChoicePoint Help You to Overcome Opioid Addiction?

Opioid use disorder is more common than you think. Over 2.5 million of the United States population is suffering from opioid addiction. However, timely intervention and effective treatment strategies can help you overcome this deadly addiction. 

At ChoicePoint, our highly proficient and skillful medical experts are trained to offer you the recent and effective treatment plan. Through our medication-assisted treatment program, we combine FDA- approved medications and addiction therapy sessions to help you overcome opioid addiction.

Some medications you can expect during your treatment include:

ChoicePoint aims to reduce opioid dependency by providing medical counseling services to help you at every stage of recovery.  

Still, have a query? Just reach out to us at 844.445.2565, and our team of medical experts will answer all your questions.